The RCMP concluded that an accident that left a Kamloops man in a critical hospital in Vancouver was not the fault of the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash.
On May 11, cyclist Andrew van der Westhuisen collided with a commercial truck crossing a multi-purpose trail in the Juniper district of the inner city of BC.
“The speed of the cyclist seems to be the main factor in the collision,” said RCMP spokesman Const. Crystal Evelyn, after the completion of the investigation of the municipal road department.
“Our thoughts are with everyone involved in this unfortunate situation.”
Concerns about cycling safety remain
The speed limit on the road is 20 km / h.
However, cycling advocate and founder of the Kamloops Cycling Coalition, Cheryl Fraser, says speed is not feasible for most cyclists.
“I seriously doubt how this speed is determined, given the length and extent of the multi-purpose road and that it is separate from other traffic,” she said.
“At 20 km / h you will have to press quite hard and the brakes all the way.
The signs show the speed limit of the multifunctional track of 20 km / h. (Jennifer Norwell / CBC)
Fraser said the situation was a call to action for all.
“Some very serious talks need to be held at local government level to prioritize a culture that values cyclists and shows that they are very equal members of the road.”
The city of Kamloops seeks to reduce the number of road accidents in the area through its Vision Zero strategy. Details of this proposed plan will be presented to the city council this fall.
CBC News has contacted the van der Westweisen family, who said they did not want to comment at this time.
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